Environmental Hazards

Why study Geoscience: Enviromental Hazards at APSU?

Austin Peay is a great place to major in geology. It has excellent faculty dedicated
solely to undergraduate students. Classes in geology are generally small, and geology
majors get the full attention of the faculty. The faculty are experts in a wide variety
of geologic disciplines and routinely publishes their research in nationally and internationally
recognized scientific journals. Geology students at Austin Peay State University
have an opportunity for close collaboration with faculty, which is not often seen
at larger universities with graduate programs. Student research is a high priority
in the geology program and faculty actively involve students in their research. APSU
geology majors commonly undertake research projects and present and publish the results
of their research. The geosciences program has state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories,
and equipment; such as a scanning electron microscope, ground penetrating radar, and
petrographic microscopes.

What will I learn?

Geology majors study a wide variety of topics that include materials of the earth
(minerals and rocks) and processes that affect them, as well as the evolution of life
and its relationship to earth materials and processes. These Earth processes include
volcanism, plate tectonics, earthquakes, landslides, and ground and surface water
migration. Geology majors utilize their knowledge to identify and assess environmental
hazards such as ground and surface water contamination, land surface stability, and
volcanic and earthquake activity. Knowledge of earth processes also helps majors
understand the formation, occurrence, and extraction of natural resources such as
water, oil and gas, and valuable minerals and metals. Geology is an outstanding field
of study for students who enjoy blending the outdoor physical environment with science.
Geology majors are deeply concerned about environmental issues and resources and
their impact on society. Thus they have chosen to do more than just talk about such
issues; they have decided to focus their careers towards actually solving these “real
world” issues. The Environmental Hazards concentration examines the causes and impacts
of both natural and anthropogenic hazards. Prevention or avoidance, mitigation, public
policy, and legislation are studied in detail.

The Freshmen Seminar degree requirement completed by most students is APSU 1000. The
course is delivered in a small-class setting with like-minded students led by a faculty
member and a peer leader. The interdisciplinary course is intended to support first-semester
students and provide them with a foundation for university success. Emphasis is placed
on student engagement, university learning success strategies, support services, library
literacy, financial literacy, and academic and career planning. The first class meeting
of APSU 1000 during fall semesters is on Freshmen Convocation Day.

The general education core is designed to develop critical competencies in written
communication, oral communication, mathematical analysis, and critical thinking skills.
Students at APSU select coursework in the general education core in the areas of Communication,
Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, History, Natural Sciences,
and Mathematics. While the general education core requirements for graduation can
be met by choosing courses from each of these areas, some programs of study require
lower division courses that serve as prerequisites for upper division courses. Students
should consult the sample 4-year plans and confer with their academic advisors as
they choose their general education core courses.

What engagement opportunities are available to APSU students?

APSU fosters a positive campus environment that encourages active participation in
university life. Organizations and honor societies in which students can engage are
…………..coming soon

What do Geoscience: Enviromental Hazards majors do after graduation?

Geoscience is an interdisciplinary field that offers diverse career opportunities.
Alumni have gone on to various graduate programs around the country and into a variety
of positions, including such governmental agencies as the Army Corps of Engineers,
the U.S. Geological Survey, and local and state planning agencies. In the private
sector graduates are employed with private geologic and environmental consulting firms.
Geographers work in many different areas, such as environmental management, education,
disaster response, city and county planning, community development, and more.